KR100751859B1 - Apparatus and method for multitasking in a digital broadcasting portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for multitasking in a digital broadcasting portable terminal are provided to provide simultaneously additional functions of a mobile phone while reproducing DMB(Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) data in a portable terminal, thereby improving the convenience of a portable phone user. A method for multitasking in a digital broadcasting portable terminal comprises the following steps of: reproducing digital broadcasting data requested from a user(303); inputting an application execution command of a portable terminal while reproducing the digital broadcasting data(307); performing reproduction in the digital broadcasting data of background in response to the application execution command of the portable terminal(309); and executing an associated application of the mobile terminal according to the execution command.

Description

Apparatus and method for multitasking in a digital broadcasting mobile terminal {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MULTITASKING IN A DIGITAL BROADCASTING PORTABLE TERMINAL}

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a system configuration for implementing a general digital broadcasting service;

2 is a view schematically showing an example of a configuration of a portable terminal for performing a function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation of performing DMB multitasking in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing a DMB multitasking function in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing multitasking in a portable terminal capable of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) service. will be.

In general, a mobile communication system is based on a voice call, a short text service (hereinafter, referred to as SMS), a multimedia message service (hereinafter referred to as "MMS"), and Various services such as video mail service are provided, and recently, digital broadcasting service is provided in conjunction with DMB.

Here, the digital broadcast refers to a broadcast service that provides a user with a high quality, high sound quality, and higher quality service in place of a conventional analog broadcast.

Recently, with the development of digital broadcasting technology and mobile communication technology, interest in digital broadcasting service that can watch / listen to digital broadcasting on the go has been increasing. In particular, interest in DMB services using mobile terminals is increasing. The DMB service generally refers to a broadcast service that digitally modulates various multimedia signals such as audio, video, and text and provides them to a fixed or portable / vehicle terminal.

In addition, the DMB service is based on digital audio broadcasting (DAB), which is a technology for digital radio, and the multimedia broadcasting concept is added to it to send data information such as video, weather, news, and location. Include services that are present. The DMB service is attracting attention as the next generation broadcast because it can provide high-quality and high-definition broadcasting of compact disk (CD, Compact Disk) or digital video disk (DVD, Digital Video Disk) level through a mobile terminal or a vehicle terminal on the go. .

That is, the DMB service refers to a broadcast service that allows a user to watch / listen to various channels while moving while using a mobile terminal or a vehicle terminal equipped with an omnidirectional receiving antenna.

The DMB service is a mobile broadcasting service based on mobility compared to the existing broadcast as described above. The DMB service is classified into a satellite DMB and a terrestrial DMB according to a method of providing, and compares the existing broadcast service and the DMB service. Looking at it can be represented as shown in Table 1 below.

As shown in Table 1, the DMB service is more mobile than the existing broadcast service, and has a difference in that the receiving apparatus is downsized. In addition, the DMB service is classified into a terrestrial DMB and a satellite DMB as described above, which is largely classified according to whether a broadcast service is provided by a terrestrial transmission station or a satellite service.

As shown in Table 1, when the satellite DMB transmits a program to a satellite in a satellite DMB broadcasting center using the satellite, the satellite transmits the program to a mobile terminal having a DMB function in all regions through radio waves. In the form of As described above, the satellite DMB service is a new media broadcasting service that transmits broadcast waves through satellites and receives the broadcast waves transmitted from a mobile terminal. Since the satellite DMB service uses satellites, it can be received anywhere in the country outdoors, but in underground, indoor, and shaded areas, a repeater called a gap filler receives a signal and retransmits the radio wave. .

As shown in Table 1, the terrestrial DMB transmits a program using frequencies on the ground, and unlike the satellite DMB, a broadcast signal is transmitted through a base station (BS) on the ground. As described above, the terrestrial DMB service is a multimedia service that provides a combination of television (TV) broadcasting, audio broadcasting, and data broadcasting while moving using terrestrial waves. Unlike the satellite DMB, the terrestrial DMB uses a broadcast transmission system such as a base station of a mobile terminal.

Next, the system configuration for the DMB service as described above will be described.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration for implementing a general digital broadcasting service.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system for implementing a digital broadcasting service includes a broadcasting center 110, a satellite 120, a base station 130, receiving devices such as a vehicle receiver 140 and a portable terminal 150. And a home receiver 160 and the like.

The broadcasting center 110 compresses and modulates DMB data such as audio, video, and data signals, and transmits the modulated data to the satellite 120 or the base station 130.

The satellite 120 or the base station 130 receives the signal transmitted from the broadcasting center 110, amplifies the signal to a predetermined level, and converts the frequency to broadcast to the receiving devices 140 to 160.

The receiving devices 140 to 160 receive and demodulate a signal broadcast from the satellite 120 or the base station 130, decompress it, and convert each signal into original signals.

On the other hand, due to the rapid development of the digital broadcast service technology as described above, the user can watch clean digital broadcast without noise while moving at high speed. Accordingly, there is a need for a method that can provide more convenience in using a DMB service in a mobile terminal in accordance with the DMB service developed as described above.

For example, there is a need for a method for reproducing the broadcast signal in a portable terminal that receives and reproduces the broadcast signal through the DMB service and simultaneously performs other additional functions of the portable terminal.

In detail, until now, the DMB portable terminal receives and reproduces the broadcast signal according to the DMB service and performs only the corresponding operation, and cannot perform other additional functions of the portable terminal simultaneously with the broadcast signal reproduction. In other words, the conventional technology has a problem in that the portable terminal must execute the corresponding additional function after the DMB reception and playback mode is terminated. For this reason, when a user wants to perform another task while watching / listening to the DMB, the user may end up receiving and playing the DMB and may perform a corresponding function. In addition, in order to view / listen to the DMB again after performing the corresponding function, it is cumbersome to perform the initial process for receiving and playing the DMB again.

Therefore, there is a need for a DMB multitasking scheme that can provide a mobile terminal with the DMB service while simultaneously executing other additional functions of the mobile terminal.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multitasking method in a portable terminal capable of simultaneously providing various additional functions in the portable terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multitasking apparatus and method capable of simultaneously executing and providing a plurality of additional functions in a portable terminal for receiving and playing digital multimedia broadcasting.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multitasking apparatus and method capable of simultaneously performing other additional functions of a portable terminal during digital multimedia broadcasting playback in a portable terminal for receiving and playing digital multimedia broadcasting.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for outputting digital multimedia broadcasting data in a background when a multi-tasking function is provided together with digital multimedia broadcasting playback in a mobile terminal for receiving and playing digital multimedia broadcasting. .

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a background reproduction function of DMB data in an idle state through multitasking together with reception and reproduction of digital multimedia broadcasting data in a portable terminal supporting a digital multimedia broadcasting service. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for simultaneously executing various applications provided by a mobile terminal during DMB background reproduction.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing multitasking in a mobile terminal, the method including receiving and playing digital broadcasting data requested from a user; During the reception and reproduction of the digital broadcast data, the method includes executing at least one portable terminal application according to a user request to provide multitasking.

Another method according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is, in the multi-tasking providing method in the portable terminal, the process of playing the digital broadcast data requested from the user, and the portable terminal during the digital broadcast data reproduction; Receiving an application execution command of the user, reproducing the digital broadcast data in the background corresponding to the application execution command, and executing the corresponding application of the mobile terminal according to the execution command after reproducing the digital broadcast data background. Process.

An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the portable terminal, a multimedia module for receiving and providing digital broadcast data transmitted from a predetermined broadcast center, and the digital broadcast received by the multimedia module A key input unit for performing a key input for reproducing data and a key input for a multitasking function of a mobile terminal during reproduction of the digital broadcast data, and a background reproduction of the received digital broadcast data; During background playback, a multitasking processing unit that executes at least one application of a portable terminal corresponding to a user request, and a multitasking related application that stores the received digital broadcast data and simultaneously performs the digital broadcast data and the application of the portable terminal. of And a controller for controlling the signal flow between the multimedia module, the key input unit, the multitasking processor, and the memory.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, only the parts necessary for understanding the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described, it should be noted that the description of other parts will be omitted so as not to distract from the gist of the present invention.

Prior to the description of the present invention, the terms or words used in the specification and claims described below should not be construed as being limited to the ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventors should consider their own invention in the best way. For the purpose of explanation, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention on the basis of the principle that it can be appropriately defined as the concept of term. Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, various modifications that can be replaced at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

The present invention relates to a method of receiving and playing digital broadcast data in a portable terminal performing a digital broadcast reception function in a digital broadcasting system. In particular, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention performs digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) reception and playback, and various applications of the mobile terminal when receiving and playing DMB data. An apparatus and method for providing multitasking (multitasking) that can be processed simultaneously.

That is, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a multitasking apparatus and method that can simultaneously perform various applications of the mobile terminal with the reception and reproduction of the DMB data in the mobile terminal that receives and reproduces the DMB data. In addition, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a multitasking apparatus and method in a portable terminal capable of outputting the DMB data in the background when the portable terminal provides the multitasking with the reproduction of the DMB data.

Typically, a mobile terminal is composed of various applications such as a call and a short message service (SMS) as well as a schedule management and a game. In particular, the mobile terminal includes a function of receiving and reproducing digital broadcasts such as DMB according to convergence with digital devices. When the portable terminal receives and processes the DMB data, the portable terminal performs reception and reproduction of the DMB data by using a dedicated application (for example, a dedicated DMB player) for reproducing the DMB data.

For example, the DMB player is executed to receive Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information and channel information, and to receive and play predetermined DMB data on the screen of the mobile terminal. . In addition, the user may use various functions such as control and channel switching related to DMB data playback using the DMB player, and the reception and playback of the DMB data are terminated while the DMB player is terminated.

However, as described above, in the case of DMB data reception and reproduction using a conventional application for reproducing DMB data (for example, a dedicated DMB player), there is a problem that simultaneous operations on various applications provided by the mobile terminal are impossible. For example, while receiving and playing back DMB data, there is a problem in that applications such as schedule management, photo shooting, and games of the mobile terminal cannot be simultaneously executed. That is, the conventional portable terminal has a problem in that various applications of the portable terminal cannot be used while receiving and playing DMB data, and in particular, there is a problem that simultaneous processing for new additional applications is impossible.

As described above, the present invention proposes a background playback function of DMB data in an idle state through multitasking as well as reception and playback of DMB data in a mobile terminal supporting DMB data reception and playback. do. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously execute various applications provided by the mobile terminal during the background reproduction of the DMB data, thereby improving the user's use of the mobile terminal.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred operation embodiments for performing a function according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above will be described in more detail.

Prior to the detailed description of the present invention, for convenience of description, a DMB service providing portable terminal performing a function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example of a mobile communication terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. . That is, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is a terminal for providing convenience to a user. Preferably, the mobile terminal can use a DMB service, a mobile phone, a DMB receiver, a wired / wireless phone, and personal information. All information communication devices and multimedia devices, such as PDAs (PDAs), smart phones, IMT-2000 terminals, Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) terminals, and DMB terminals, It will be apparent that the present invention can be applied to the application.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a portable terminal for performing a function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Before describing FIG. 2, the portable terminal illustrated in FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal that can receive and reproduce DMB data. Accordingly, the portable terminal performs a function of receiving and playing back DMB data transmitted from a predetermined broadcasting center and simultaneously processing various applications of the portable terminal during the reception and playback of the DMB data.

To this end, the portable terminal includes a control unit 201, a radio frequency (hereinafter referred to as RF) processor 203, a data processor 205, an audio processor 207, a key input unit 209, The memory 211, the camera 213, the image processor 215, the display 217, the multimedia module 219, and the multitasking processor 221 may be included.

Referring to FIG. 2, a portable terminal for providing a DMB service according to an embodiment of the present invention is largely divided into an input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, an output unit, and a communication unit.

The input means includes an audio processor 207 for processing voice data input through a microphone, a key input unit 209 for receiving numeric / character data from a user, and a camera 213 for receiving image data through photographing of an external predetermined object. ) May be included. In addition, when the liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) of the display unit 217 is formed in the form of a touch screen, the display unit 217 may be included in the input means. have. That is, the input means is responsible for receiving multimedia data such as voice data, numeric / text data, and video data through the above-described configuration devices.

The processing means includes: an image processing unit 215 for converting and processing image data input through the camera 213 into a digital signal, and processing DMB service related image data transmitted through the multimedia module 219; A data processor 205 in charge of processing voice data transmitted from the audio processor 207 or the like, or numeric / character data input from a user through the key input unit 209; A controller 201 in charge of controlling a series of blocks of the portable terminal; Receives broadcasting signals according to DMB service, separates them into video, audio and data signals, decodes them respectively, and outputs them, respectively. Providing multimedia module 219; And a multitasking processor 221 for simultaneously executing execution of various applications of the portable terminal corresponding to a user request during the reproduction of the multimedia broadcast data received through the multimedia module 219. That is, the processing means is in charge of a series of processes corresponding to each of the user data input from the input means, for example, the voice data, text data and video data, and additional functions requested by the user.

The storage means stores user data input through the input means, DMB service related data delivered through the multimedia module 219, and the like, and the audio / video broadcasting service according to the additional function of the mobile terminal, for example, DMB service. It is responsible for storing a multitasking application for simultaneously executing various applications of the portable terminal together with the application for implementing the application and the broadcast data according to the DMB service, and includes a memory 211.

The output means includes a display unit 217 for constructing and outputting a screen for the input or requested user data and additional functions, and an audio processor 207 for outputting the voice data to the outside. That is, the output means outputs user data input through the input means or data related to user data stored in the storage means and a screen according to each additional function.

The communication means is responsible for wirelessly transmitting the user data to another external user or the like, or for transmitting / receiving content through interworking with an external web server, and the RF processor 203 and at least one antenna. And the like.

In more detail with respect to each of the components as described above, the RF processing unit 203 is a series related to mobile phone communication, short message service (SMS) or multimedia messaging service (MMS, multimedia messaging service) communication and data communication, etc. Performs communication. In addition, the RF processor 203 converts and transmits voice / sound data and control data into a wireless signal, and receives and converts the wireless signal into voice / sound data and control data. To this end, the RF processor 203 preferably includes an RF transmitter for upconverting and amplifying the frequency of the transmitted signal, and an RF receiver for low noise amplifying and downconverting the received signal.

The data processor 205 may include a means for performing encoding and modulation on a signal transmitted through the RF processor 203, a means for performing demodulation and decoding on a signal received through the RF processor 203, and the like. It may include.

The audio processor 207 reproduces an audio signal output from the data processor 205 or the multimedia module 219, or transmits an audio signal such as a voice input from a microphone to the data processor 205. Perform. That is, the audio processor 207 converts audio / sound data and DMB related audio data into audible sound through a speaker and outputs the audio signal, such as a voice received from a microphone, under the control of the controller 201. To print.

The key input unit 209 includes a plurality of numeric, character and / or function keys for inputting numeric and character information and setting various functions. The key input unit 209 receives a control operation such as play / end, channel change, volume control, and song selection in relation to the play and control of the DMB data. The key input unit 209 outputs a key input signal to the control unit 201. In addition, the key input unit 209 performs key input for receiving and playing DMB data received by the multimedia module 219 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the portable terminal during the reception and playback of the DMB data. Performs key input for multitasking function. In addition, the key input unit 209 performs a key input for processing the DMB data in the background when the multi-tasking function is provided in addition to the DMB data reproduction.

The memory 211 may be composed of a program memory and a data memory. In the program memory, program modules for controlling general operations of the mobile terminal, program modules for providing a DMB service according to an embodiment of the present invention, and various applications of the mobile terminal are simultaneously processed during broadcast data reproduction according to the DMB service. Program modules related to multitasking may be stored.

In addition, the memory 211 is data processed by a predetermined application executed by the user according to the key input unit 209 or a preset setting method while playing DMB data viewed by a portable terminal user according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Save it.

In addition, the memory 211 stores DMB data reproduction and control information displayed by the display unit 217, DMB EPG information, and the like. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the DMB data reproduction and control information includes a channel number, a channel title, and a broadcast program title.

The data memory stores data generated during the execution of the program modules, configuration information related to a DMB service, and configuration information related to multitasking according to an embodiment of the present invention, and stores each data and menu data in a database form. It can include a database to store as. Here, the database may be mapped to user data, DMB service data, program modules related to DMB service, and program modules related to multitasking for simultaneously executing various applications of the mobile terminal. Each database includes a database.

In addition, the program modules related to the multitasking according to an embodiment of the present invention, the program module for controlling the reception of the DMB data and the reproduction of the received DMB data corresponding to the input information for using the DMB service; A program module for providing audio / video information, channel information, broadcast data information, etc. provided by the DMB service in correspondence with input information for using the DMB service; A program module for terminating the reception and reproduction of the DMB data and controlling the return to the idle state in response to the input information for terminating the use of the DMB service during the reception and reproduction of the DMB data; Program module for maintaining DMB reception and playback in response to input information for executing a predetermined application of the mobile terminal, for example, for performing multitasking, and controlling application execution corresponding to the input information during reception and reproduction of DMB data. ; A program module for controlling the background processing of the DMB data when the DMB data is reproduced and simultaneously a predetermined application of the portable terminal is processed; A program module for controlling a function of updating and displaying a screen such as reproduction state, channel information, and progress state of the DMB data by using the reproduction and control information of the DMB data when performing multitasking; And a program module for controlling switching between applications related to the use of the DMB service and various applications and switching of the portable terminal when providing a multitasking function through the background processing of the DMB data. Dedicated applications, including the like can be mounted. Preferably, the dedicated application including the program modules may store these functions in the form of a flash file.

The controller 201 performs a function of controlling the overall operation of the portable terminal. For example, the signal flow between the components of the multimedia module 219, the data processor 205, the key input unit 209, the memory 211, the image processor 215, and the multitasking processor 221 is controlled. do. In addition, the controller 201 controls a mode setting corresponding to the change signal for using the DMB service from the key input unit 209. For example, it controls the switching and setting from the phone mode for mobile communication service to the multimedia mode for DMB service. In addition, the controller 201 controls to display additional functions or user data generated or managed in response to the input switching or setting signal.

In addition, the control unit 201 performs a series of control functions for performing a function according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, the controller 201 controls the reproduction of the DMB data when the DMB application is executed, controls the reproduction of the DMB data through multitasking in the idle state, and various applications of the mobile terminal in the idle state. Control them to run simultaneously.

The camera 213 receives a data signal by capturing an image of a predetermined object, and performs digital signal conversion of the received image data through linkage with an encoder (not shown).

The image processor 215 converts and outputs a digital signal output from the camera 213 into an image / video signal and generates screen data for displaying the output image / video signal. The image processor 215 transmits the broadcast data according to the DMB service provided by the multimedia module 219 in accordance with the standard of the display unit 219 under the control of the controller 201. In addition, the image processor 215 switches the execution screen of the corresponding application according to the multitasking while displaying the DMB data, and transmits the image according to the standard of the display unit 219. In addition, the image processor 315 compresses and decompresses the video data.

The display unit 217 displays image data output from the image processor 215 on a screen. In addition, execution screens corresponding to applications for providing the DMB service and video data, audio data, subtitle data, etc. of an audio / video channel are displayed on the screen under the control of the controller 201 in the DMB service. do. In addition, the display unit 217 switches the execution screen of the corresponding application according to the multitasking while the DMB data is received by the multimedia module 219 and displays it on the screen. In addition, the display unit 217 displays information related to DMB reproduction and control on a screen and displays a selection menu for multitasking processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, it displays the operation of various applications provided by the mobile terminal when playing the DMB background.

The multimedia module 219 recognizes a DMB service format requested by a user, for example, a satellite DMB or a terrestrial DMB, and provides a broadcast service such as video, audio, and text according to the recognized service format. In addition, the multimedia module 219 individually or simultaneously provides user data or applications related to the broadcast service through the image processor 215 or the audio processor 207.

In detail, the multimedia module 219 receives DMB data transmitted from a predetermined broadcasting center. In this case, the multimedia module 219 has a function as a satellite DMB broadcast receiving module when the received DMB data is transmitted using satellite DMB, and functions as a terrestrial DMB broadcast receiving module when DMB data is transmitted using terrestrial DMB. Can have That is, the multimedia module 219 according to the embodiment of the present invention refers to a broadcast receiving module capable of receiving DMB data regardless of satellites and terrestrial waves.

In addition, the multimedia module 219 receives DMB data when an application for playing DMB data, for example, DMB data playback or DMB background playback through a DMB player, separates an audio and video channel of the received DMB data, and a codec ( Decode via CODEC and deliver it to the control unit 201. In addition, the multimedia module 219 terminates the reception of the DMB data in response to the background playback end command of the controller 201.

The multitasking processor 221 controls playback of DMB data received by the multimedia module 219 at the start of the DMB player, and controls an audio channel of the DMB data in response to a background playback command of the controller 201. Regenerate continuously. In addition, when the background is reproduced, a function of terminating the reproduction of the DMB data is performed according to the reproduction end command of the user. In addition, the multitasking processing unit 221 reproduces the DMB data when the DMB player starts as described above, and when the DMB data is reproduced, at least one application of the mobile terminal corresponding to the multitasking command. Handle concurrent execution.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, only the function of the multimedia module 219 as a DMB receiving device is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the multimedia module 219 may include a function of supporting a multitasking function during the DMB data reproduction according to an embodiment of the present invention. To this end, the multimedia module 219 includes a tuner for receiving DMB data and the multitasking processor 221, and preferably performs a function of the multitasking processor 221 in a predetermined DMB processor.

Therefore, when the multimedia module 219 performs the function of the multitasking processor 221, the multitasking processor 221 may be omitted in FIG. 2. In this case, the multimedia module 219 receives DMB data during a dedicated application related to a DMB service, for example, a DMB player or a DMB background, and separates an audio and video channel and a codec from the received DMB data. Decoding and transfers it to the control unit 201 or the DMB processor. In addition, the multimedia module 219 receives and plays the DMB data in the DMB processor at the start of the DMB player in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and performs a background playback command of the controller 201 or the DMB processor. As a result, the audio channel of the DMB data is continuously reproduced. In addition, upon reception of the background, the reception and reproduction of the DMB data is terminated by the reproduction termination command of the controller 201.

In the above, the apparatus configuration for performing a function according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described. A method of providing DMB multitasking for simultaneously executing various applications of the portable terminal will be described.

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation of performing a DMB multitasking function in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, in step 301, the mobile terminal performs a DMB service request from the user as in step 303, for example, when the user generates a predetermined key input for using the DMB service. The terminal proceeds to step 305 in response to the key input.

In step 305, the portable terminal executes an application for providing a DMB service, for example, a DMB player, in response to the user's DMB service request, and receives and plays DMB data broadcast from a predetermined broadcasting center.

In step 305, when a predetermined application request, ie, a multitasking request, supported by the portable terminal is generated from the user as in step 307 during the reception and reproduction of the DMB data, the flow proceeds to step 309. In step 309, the portable terminal processes the DMB data being played in the background in response to the multitasking request, and then proceeds to step 311.

In step 311, the mobile terminal executes the corresponding application of the mobile terminal corresponding to the multitasking request and proceeds to step 313. In step 313, the portable terminal simultaneously plays the corresponding application of the requested portable terminal and provides the user with the reproduction of the DMB data processed in the background.

In the above, the DMB multitasking providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention for simultaneously providing DMB data and a predetermined application of the portable terminal in the DMB portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described. A method for providing the DMB multitasking according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

4 is a diagram illustrating an operation process of providing a DMB multitasking function in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 401, the mobile terminal proceeds to step 405 when a user requests to execute a predetermined application, for example, a DMB player, to use the DMB service as in step 403 in the idle state. In step 405, the portable terminal executes the DMB player in response to the user's request to perform reception and reproduction of DMB data transmitted from a predetermined broadcasting center.

In step 405, if the user is requested to terminate the playback of the DMB data as in step 407 during the reception and playback of the DMB data according to the user request, the process proceeds to step 409. In step 409, the portable terminal stops the reception and playback of the DMB data in response to the user's request to terminate the playback of the DMB data and terminates the DMB player.

In step 405, when the user requests to execute another application of the portable terminal as in step 411 during the reception and playback of the DMB data according to the user's request, that is, when a key input for multitasking occurs, step 413 is performed. In step 413, the portable terminal terminates only the upper application (eg, the DMB player) according to the reception and playback of the DMB data, and maintains the reception and playback of the DMB data through an internal application that controls the reception and playback of the DMB data. In one state, the process proceeds to step 415 to enter the idle state. The idle state entry may include a state of displaying a standby screen.

In step 415, the mobile terminal proceeds to step 417 to activate the DMB background playback object in which the actual DMB data is being played, and then proceeds to step 419.

In step 419, the portable terminal continues to play the DMB data by activating the DMB background playback object as in step 417.

In this case, as in step 421, other applications of the mobile terminal, such as a camera function, an MMS, or a phone book, are requested through a key input, for example, a menu key or a function key, from the user as in step 421. In step 423, the portable terminal executes the corresponding application of the portable terminal requested by the user while maintaining the reproduction state of the DMB data, thereby simultaneously processing the DMB data and the application of the portable terminal.

The internal processing flow of the mobile terminal with respect to the operation according to FIG. 4 will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the portable terminal generates a DMB background reproduction object for background reproduction of DMB data in an idle state. In this case, the DMB background reproduction object preferably continuously receives the DMB data and performs the background playback even when a mobile terminal enters an idle state after the end of the DMB player. It may include a predetermined application.

Next, the generated DMB background reproduction object internally acquires a task for reproducing DMB data, for example, a sound task and / or a video task, and goes to an idle state. To return. In addition, the DMB background reproduction object provides a control interface that can transmit control commands such as channel switching and volume control with respect to the DMB data by other applications of the mobile terminal when the DMB data is played in the background. .

As described above, an embodiment of the present invention may provide a multitasking function through background reproduction of DMB data in an idle state through generation of the DMB background reproduction object. Hereinafter, a multitasking method of simultaneously performing various applications of the mobile terminal during background reproduction of DMB data using the DMB background reproduction object will be described in detail.

First, in order to use the DMB service, the user may instruct the portable terminal to execute a DMB player through a predetermined key input. That is, the portable terminal receives the execution command of the DMB player from the user, and in response thereto, executes the DMB player including the function of receiving and playing the DMB data and provides the same to the user. At this time, the portable terminal includes a receiving means for receiving the DMB data and executing the DMB data for playing the DMB data. In addition, the DMB data to be reproduced according to the multitasking function provided by the reproducing means in charge of reproducing the DMB data may be generated through an interface provided by a DMB background reproducing object which is previously generated and activated in the idle state as described above. . In this case, the task and the DMB background reproduction object, which are in charge of receiving and decoding the DMB data, play the DMB data in response to a predetermined multitasking command input.

On the other hand, as described above, while receiving and playing DMB data through the DMB player, the user can terminate the reception and playback of the DMB data. That is, the portable terminal terminates the execution of the currently executing DMB player in response to the end command of the DMB player being input from the user. In such a case, preferably, when the portable terminal receives an end command of the DMB player, the DMB player responds to a predetermined DMB processor, for example, DMB-related, to terminate all operations of receiving and decoding DMB data. The DMB player is terminated after transmitting a command to the control unit for control and transmitting a stop command to the DMB background playback object.

The DMB background playback object received the stop command stops playback of DMB data and enters an idle state again. That is, the DMB background reproduction object is preferably activated in the idle state upon execution of the DMB player, and proceeds to the idle state upon termination of the DMB player.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user may simultaneously perform (multitasking) other applications of the mobile terminal during DMB data reproduction as described above. That is, when a predetermined key input for multitasking, for example, a multitasking key, is input from the user during DMB data reproduction, the portable terminal performs an operation for multitasking in response thereto.

Specifically, the portable terminal terminates only the upper application of the running DMB player. That is, the portable terminal terminates only the playback application of the DMB player, and maintains the reception and data reproduction of the DMB data being performed by the DMB player. For example, the portable terminal terminates the playback application in the state of continuing to receive broadcast data, separate channels, decode, and play the broadcast data from the DMB tuner and the DMB processor for receiving the DMB data, and proceed to the idle state. The DMB background reproduction object, on which the DMB data is being reproduced, is activated in the idle state to continuously reproduce the DMB data (eg, audio data) through multitasking. Accordingly, the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention can maintain the playback state of the DMB data even when the mobile terminal proceeds to the idle state.

Next, when the execution command for the other applications of the portable terminal is input from the user in the above state, the portable terminal maintains the playback state of the DMB data as described above, and corresponds to the corresponding applications of the portable terminal requested from the user. Perform the action.

At this time, when the mobile terminal receives the execution command of the DMB data reproduction application, that is, the DMB player from the user in the background reproduction state of the DMB data as described above, the DMB data is reproduced in the DMB background reproduction object while executing the DMB player. And control information and the like. Then, the DMB background playback object receives the DMB playback and control information, updates the playback status, channel information, and progress of the currently playing DMB data, and displays the same on the screen and provides the same to the user. Preferably, if the DMB data currently being played contains video data, decoding and video playback for the video data are resumed.

On the other hand, when the mobile terminal detects a multitasking key input from the user while the mobile terminal is executing another application of the mobile terminal during the background reproduction of the DMB data as described above, the mobile terminal is configured to reproduce the DMB data. Performs the same operation as the call of the DMB player. That is, the user may perform the execution of the DMB player through the multitasking through the multitasking key while simultaneously performing background applications of the DMB data and other applications. Through this, the control function of the DMB player can be used simultaneously during the above operation.

In addition, when the multitasking key is input again while the DMB player is called as described above, the mode is switched to the background playback mode of the DMB data. In this case, preferably, the DMB player is terminated, and not the transition to the idle state, but the transition state of the application of the previously executed portable terminal.

Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, various external applications of the portable terminal can be executed in the background reproduction state of the DMB data. In addition, while simultaneously executing the application of the DMB data and the portable terminal, it is possible to switch the activation / deactivation of the DMB data playback application through a multitasking key. In addition, various control commands such as channel switching and volume control may be performed through activation of the DMB data reproducing application. In addition, since the transfer and control of the play command through the DMB background play object are performed in the idle state, the multitasking function with the various applications can be supported.

As described above, in the detailed description of the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

As described above, according to the multitasking apparatus and method in the digital multimedia broadcasting mobile terminal of the present invention, the mobile terminal can provide other additional functions simultaneously while playing DMB data. When providing a multitasking function with DMB data reproduction in the portable terminal, the DMB data is output in the background, and various additional functions of the portable terminal can be simultaneously provided. This has the advantage of improving the convenience for the user of the portable terminal.

Claims (18)

delete delete delete In the multi-tasking providing method in a mobile terminal, Playing digital broadcast data requested by a user; Receiving an application execution command of a mobile terminal while reproducing the digital broadcast data; Reproducing the digital broadcast data in the background corresponding to the application execution command; And executing a corresponding application of the portable terminal according to the execution command after the digital broadcast data background is reproduced. The method of claim 4, wherein The process of receiving the application execution command, Receiving a predetermined multitasking command for multitasking; Terminating a reproduction application of digital broadcast data in response to the multitasking command; Playing the digital broadcast data in the background by activating the digital broadcast background playback object after the termination of the playback application; And receiving the application execution command while maintaining the reproduction of the digital broadcast data in the background. The method of claim 5, The digital broadcast background reproduction object may include an application that internally performs background reproduction of digital broadcast data in an idle state of the portable terminal. The method of claim 5, And the digital broadcast background reproduction object interfaces a control command for digital broadcast data to be reproduced in the background while executing another application of the mobile terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein Receiving a digital broadcast information request command during application execution according to the execution command; In response to the digital broadcast information request command, updating and displaying broadcast information of digital broadcast data currently being played back in the background; A method for providing multitasking in a mobile terminal, the method comprising: controlling digital broadcast data in response to a user request. The method of claim 8, And switching to a background playback mode of the digital broadcast data and switching to an application execution state of a previously executed mobile terminal when the multitasking command is input after the control of the digital broadcast data. In a mobile terminal, A multimedia module for receiving and providing digital broadcasting data transmitted from a predetermined broadcasting center; A key input unit for performing a key input for reproducing the digital broadcast data received by the multimedia module and a key input for a multitasking function of the portable terminal during the reproduction of the digital broadcast data; A multitasking processor configured to process the background reproduction of the received digital broadcast data and to execute at least one application of the portable terminal corresponding to a user request during the background reproduction of the digital broadcast data; A memory for storing the received digital broadcast data and storing a multitasking related application for simultaneously executing the digital broadcast data and the application of the portable terminal; And a controller for controlling a signal flow between the multimedia module, a key input unit, a multitasking processor, and a memory. The method of claim 10, The portable terminal may include a display unit configured to display an execution screen of various applications according to multitasking while the digital broadcast data is reproduced, and to display information related to digital broadcast data reproduction and control. delete The method of claim 10, And the key input unit performs a key input for processing the digital broadcast data being played in the background. The method of claim 10, The memory, A program module for controlling reception of digital broadcast data and reproduction of received digital broadcast data; A program module for maintaining digital data reproduction in the background corresponding to multitasking input information during digital broadcast data reproduction and controlling execution of an application corresponding to the input information; A program module for updating and displaying reproduction state, channel information, and progress information of digital broadcast data when performing multitasking; And A multitasking portable terminal comprising a program module for controlling switching between applications related to digital broadcast reproduction and various applications of the portable terminal. The method of claim 10, The control unit, And controlling background reproduction of digital broadcast data through multitasking in the idle state of the portable terminal, and controlling execution of various applications of the portable terminal during background reproduction of the digital broadcast data in the idle state. The method of claim 10, The multimedia module is a multi-tasking mobile terminal, characterized in that for processing digital broadcast data reception and background playback, and separating the audio and video channels of the received digital broadcast data, decoding through a codec (CODEC). The method of claim 10, And the multitasking processor is configured to process the reproduction of digital broadcast data in response to a user's request when the digital broadcast data is reproduced in the background. delete

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